The Australian Open is known for throwing up some surprise packages and in 2008, Tsonga was one of those.

He began by taking out Andy Murray and by the time he swept Rafael Nadal aside in straight sets in the semis, he was the toast of Melbourne.

A dead ringer for boxing legend Muhammad Ali, Tsonga's knockout shot is his awesome forehand - look out for him running around his backhand to play the shot - and it showed 12 months ago that Tsonga is capable of mixing it with the very best.

One of the best on the tour at playing serve-volley, Tsonga qualified for last season's Masters Cup despite missing three months of the campaign due to knee surgery.

He won two titles upon his return after returning to full fitness.

However, a back complaint saw him pull out of the warm-up tournament in Sydney and could prevent him making another Aussie title assault.